This will be my last load for Schneider. I should have it delivered to Menomonie by 6:00 am tomorrow morning. Because of the limit of only driving 70 hours over a 7 day period, I only had 3.25 hours to drive today. Tomorrow I'll have plenty of hours to finish the run. Right now I'm about 2 miles from the junction of I-80 and I-39 in IL. I plan on leaving early tomorrow morning at 1:00 am and drive north to Menomonie.
I got up this morning at 4:30 am and drove from Dixon, IL to Joliet. I used I-88, I-355 and I-55. It was snowing and the going was slow in places. I arrived in Joliet a little after 7:00 to pick up the load.
I have the rest of the day to rest up, work on the computer and watch DVD's.
I'm pretty sure that I'll head to Blaine after dropping the load in Menomonie. All I have to do then is clean out the truck and head to Red Wing. So I'm about 24 hours away from concluding 1+ years of driving for Schneider. I'm guessing I drove about 120,000 miles in 44 states and 4 provinces in Canada.
I hope the day is going well for all of you. I'll let you know when I make it to Red Wing. - James (Jibs - Dad/Papa )
Tuesday, February 26, 2008
Monday, February 25, 2008
Dixon, IL
This morning I'm sitting in the Schneider Indianapolis operating center. I have a load I need to take to Dixon, IL by 5:00 pm this afternoon. I picked it up yesterday morning in Columbus, OH at an operating center there. It's a relay. Another driver had brought it from MD to Columbus. I'm taking it the rest of the way.
Over the last 3 days I've been checking to find an operating center that can replace the starter in my truck. The one in Seville, OH didn't have time until tomorrow. The one in Columbus wasn't open yesterday. This one in Indy couldn't get to it until tonight. Since the time it didn't start a few days ago it has been starting ok. However, you never know when it won't start and need to be replaced. I'm attempting preventive maintenance. The suggestion the mechanics have is to always keep the tractor running.
I rented the movie 'Michael Clayton' yesterday on iTunes and downloaded it to my computer. That's a good movie.
3 or 4 more days and I'll be done at Schneider. Next week on Tues I'll probably drive with a Monson driver for a couple of days and then have a day of orientation in Duluth. I think I'll actually start driving the following Monday. March 10th.
I hope you all had a good weekend. For some of you Spring is coming. For those of us in the Upper Midwest we still have 6-8 weeks left. Someone once said that the MN has 4 seasons. June, July, August and Winter. Another commented about MN's 2 seasons, Winter and Road Construction. I'll let you know how the next few days go. - James (Jibs - Dad/Papa )
Over the last 3 days I've been checking to find an operating center that can replace the starter in my truck. The one in Seville, OH didn't have time until tomorrow. The one in Columbus wasn't open yesterday. This one in Indy couldn't get to it until tonight. Since the time it didn't start a few days ago it has been starting ok. However, you never know when it won't start and need to be replaced. I'm attempting preventive maintenance. The suggestion the mechanics have is to always keep the tractor running.
I rented the movie 'Michael Clayton' yesterday on iTunes and downloaded it to my computer. That's a good movie.
3 or 4 more days and I'll be done at Schneider. Next week on Tues I'll probably drive with a Monson driver for a couple of days and then have a day of orientation in Duluth. I think I'll actually start driving the following Monday. March 10th.
I hope you all had a good weekend. For some of you Spring is coming. For those of us in the Upper Midwest we still have 6-8 weeks left. Someone once said that the MN has 4 seasons. June, July, August and Winter. Another commented about MN's 2 seasons, Winter and Road Construction. I'll let you know how the next few days go. - James (Jibs - Dad/Papa )
Columbus, OH
I'm parked at a Wal Mart in Ogdenburg, NY and will start out soon. Ogdenburg is on the US/Canadian border. I picked up a load last night which I need to take to Columbus, OH by 8:00 am tomorrow morning.
Yesterday, once again, I drove all day. I started in Carlisle, PA, near Harrisburg and headed north on I-81 to Binghamton, NY and then took I-88 to near Albany. It was snowing the whole way. It wasn't heavy, thank goodness and the roads were never snowpacked, so I made good time. I was hearing weather reports of possible freezing rain later in the day in PA, so I was on a mission to get out of there.
After dropping off the load in Rotterdam, I pick up an empty there and heade to Syracuse and then north in I-81 to Ogdenburg. (220 miles).
Today, I'll just drive 8 hours and hopefully get a little south of Cleveland, OH. The weather looks much better this morning, so it should be a relaxing day.
I hope you all have a wonderful weekend. I'll continue to keep you informed. - James (Jibs - Dad/Papa )
Yesterday, once again, I drove all day. I started in Carlisle, PA, near Harrisburg and headed north on I-81 to Binghamton, NY and then took I-88 to near Albany. It was snowing the whole way. It wasn't heavy, thank goodness and the roads were never snowpacked, so I made good time. I was hearing weather reports of possible freezing rain later in the day in PA, so I was on a mission to get out of there.
After dropping off the load in Rotterdam, I pick up an empty there and heade to Syracuse and then north in I-81 to Ogdenburg. (220 miles).
Today, I'll just drive 8 hours and hopefully get a little south of Cleveland, OH. The weather looks much better this morning, so it should be a relaxing day.
I hope you all have a wonderful weekend. I'll continue to keep you informed. - James (Jibs - Dad/Papa )
Wednesday, February 20, 2008
Rotterdam, NY
Another long and interesting day. I left early this morning from Fairmont, WV and headed south. Drive thru light snow for a couple of hours, but then it cleared. I started out with temp around 20. Finished the day with temp at 66. I arrived later than I wanted in Jonesville, SC. And was then sent down to Beech Island, SC which is very close to Augusta, GA. I picked up a load for Kimberley-Clark which I now need to take 1,000 miles north to Rotterdam, NY which is close to Albany.
I was to pick up an empty in Beech Island and drop it at KC and then pickup a loaded trailer there. There were no empty trailers where they sent me and I was only 2 miles from KC so I tried my luck with bobtailing in. There was no problem. I was in and out within 20 minutes. Schneider did send a message and said they wanted me to bobtail 185 miles to pick up an empty trailer and then drive back the 185 miles to drop it at KC. I'm going to talk to them about it tomorrow morning.
This load I have now needs to be in Rotterdam by Friday which will mean 500 miles a day.
On the way down from Jonesville I drove by some large plantation homes. It felt like I was back 150 years. There were cotton fields on either side of the road. I think I drove through the town where Strom Thurmond was either born or went to school. (Johnston, SC).
Along the way I stopped for a short break and when I tried to start the truck nothing happened. I had experienced this in another truck so I had an idea of what to do. I lifted up the hood of the truck, got out my trusty hammer and rapped on the starter a few times. Got back in the truck and it started right up. It felt like magic, though I actually think I knocked some rust off some brushes.
It's nice to have warm weather even if it only will be for a day. I hope your day went well. I'll let you know how the trip goes. - James (Jibs - Dad/Papa )
I was to pick up an empty in Beech Island and drop it at KC and then pickup a loaded trailer there. There were no empty trailers where they sent me and I was only 2 miles from KC so I tried my luck with bobtailing in. There was no problem. I was in and out within 20 minutes. Schneider did send a message and said they wanted me to bobtail 185 miles to pick up an empty trailer and then drive back the 185 miles to drop it at KC. I'm going to talk to them about it tomorrow morning.
This load I have now needs to be in Rotterdam by Friday which will mean 500 miles a day.
On the way down from Jonesville I drove by some large plantation homes. It felt like I was back 150 years. There were cotton fields on either side of the road. I think I drove through the town where Strom Thurmond was either born or went to school. (Johnston, SC).
Along the way I stopped for a short break and when I tried to start the truck nothing happened. I had experienced this in another truck so I had an idea of what to do. I lifted up the hood of the truck, got out my trusty hammer and rapped on the starter a few times. Got back in the truck and it started right up. It felt like magic, though I actually think I knocked some rust off some brushes.
It's nice to have warm weather even if it only will be for a day. I hope your day went well. I'll let you know how the trip goes. - James (Jibs - Dad/Papa )
Tuesday, February 19, 2008
Jonesville, SC
Finally, I'm heading south. After spending two days in Canada, I'm taking a load of sponges to a Family Dollar distribution center in Jonesville, SC. The load weighs only 3600 lbs.
And, unlike the previous 5 days where I drove an average of 4 hours per day, today I drive close to 11 hours. Presently, I'm in Fairmont, WV which is about 30 miles south of the PA/WV line.
It was quite a day. At 7:00 am I delivered a load in Brantford, ON. I then bob-tailed to Bamford, ON which is close to Toronto. (60 miles). I picked up an empty and drove that about 10 miles to North York and picked up the load of sponges. It took about 3 1/2 hours to go the 70 miles. The traffic was heavy. I decided after picking up the load that the best way to get to SC was to cross the US/CN border at Buffalo, NY. So I drove an hour and a half south and crossed there. It was the easiest crossing I've ever had. From there I drove south on I-90 along Lake Erie. Unfortunately, they were experiencing lake effect snow which made visibility difficult. I was going to drive down to Cleveland and take I-77 south, but decided to head south on I-79 out of Erie, PA. Within a few miles the snow stopped and I was able to cruise south toward Pittsburgh. Having a light load makes it easier to deal with the hills.
Tomorrow, I'll continue south through WV, VA, NC and then SC. It should only take 6 or 7 hours. Jonesville, SC is in northern SC not too far from Charlotte, NC. I hear it may get to 60 degrees down there. That would be nice.
I drove through Morgantown, WV and discovered that is where West Virginia Univ is located. I understand now why they called the football game between Pitt and WVU the 'Backyard Brawl'. They are only about 50 miles away from one another.
I hope your week is going well. There's another set of primaries to follow tonight (WI, WA, Hawaii). This sure has been a fascinating election year.
I'll let you know where I'm headed next. - James (Jibs - Dad/Papa )
And, unlike the previous 5 days where I drove an average of 4 hours per day, today I drive close to 11 hours. Presently, I'm in Fairmont, WV which is about 30 miles south of the PA/WV line.
It was quite a day. At 7:00 am I delivered a load in Brantford, ON. I then bob-tailed to Bamford, ON which is close to Toronto. (60 miles). I picked up an empty and drove that about 10 miles to North York and picked up the load of sponges. It took about 3 1/2 hours to go the 70 miles. The traffic was heavy. I decided after picking up the load that the best way to get to SC was to cross the US/CN border at Buffalo, NY. So I drove an hour and a half south and crossed there. It was the easiest crossing I've ever had. From there I drove south on I-90 along Lake Erie. Unfortunately, they were experiencing lake effect snow which made visibility difficult. I was going to drive down to Cleveland and take I-77 south, but decided to head south on I-79 out of Erie, PA. Within a few miles the snow stopped and I was able to cruise south toward Pittsburgh. Having a light load makes it easier to deal with the hills.
Tomorrow, I'll continue south through WV, VA, NC and then SC. It should only take 6 or 7 hours. Jonesville, SC is in northern SC not too far from Charlotte, NC. I hear it may get to 60 degrees down there. That would be nice.
I drove through Morgantown, WV and discovered that is where West Virginia Univ is located. I understand now why they called the football game between Pitt and WVU the 'Backyard Brawl'. They are only about 50 miles away from one another.
I hope your week is going well. There's another set of primaries to follow tonight (WI, WA, Hawaii). This sure has been a fascinating election year.
I'll let you know where I'm headed next. - James (Jibs - Dad/Papa )
Monday, February 18, 2008
Aberfoyle, ON
I'm at the Schneider operating center in Aberfoyle, ON. I entered Canada yesterday hoping to deliver the load I had for Brantford, ON this morning. The business was closed due to Family Day in Canada. So, I'm here for another day.
This has been a different trip. I've only had to drive 4 or 5 hours a day. I've had plenty of time in between. I've been watching movies I rent from iTunes and download on my computer. It's a great deal.
I've missed all of the bad weather, thankfully. I had no problems crossing the border, but did have to show my daily logs to an officer at a weigh station in Canada. Fortunately, they were mistake free. Truckers can be fined for not having correct or up-to-date logs.
I imagine I'll be heading back to the US tomorrow, but have no idea where I'll actually be headed.
I did give my two week notice to Schneider. I'll be starting at Monson Trucking two weeks from tomorrow. I'll be driving 5 days at a time and then having 2 days off. I'll have my own truck and will park it in Red Wing at an operating center they have there. The routes will be regional (upper Midwest area). I had a good experience with Schneider, but this will allow me to be home more frequently.
I hope you all had a good weekend. Only 2 more months of winter in MN if we are lucky. More and more I'm questioning my sanity for living in MN. - James (Jibs - Dad/Papa )
This has been a different trip. I've only had to drive 4 or 5 hours a day. I've had plenty of time in between. I've been watching movies I rent from iTunes and download on my computer. It's a great deal.
I've missed all of the bad weather, thankfully. I had no problems crossing the border, but did have to show my daily logs to an officer at a weigh station in Canada. Fortunately, they were mistake free. Truckers can be fined for not having correct or up-to-date logs.
I imagine I'll be heading back to the US tomorrow, but have no idea where I'll actually be headed.
I did give my two week notice to Schneider. I'll be starting at Monson Trucking two weeks from tomorrow. I'll be driving 5 days at a time and then having 2 days off. I'll have my own truck and will park it in Red Wing at an operating center they have there. The routes will be regional (upper Midwest area). I had a good experience with Schneider, but this will allow me to be home more frequently.
I hope you all had a good weekend. Only 2 more months of winter in MN if we are lucky. More and more I'm questioning my sanity for living in MN. - James (Jibs - Dad/Papa )
Friday, February 15, 2008
Brantford, ON
I started out once again this afternoon from Blaine, MN. This will probably be my last two week run with Schneider. I'm pretty sure I'll be driving for a company called Monson beginning in early March.
I picked up an empty trailer in Menomonie, WI and drove it down to Madison, WI. Tomorrow the trailer will be loaded and I'll be heading to Brantford, ON. (Another border crossing).
Tonight I had dinner with Erika and the girls once again. Elsa was wearing pants with hearts on them and a big heart on her shirt. Sydney had a special dress on. We had to eat at McDonalds and for sure had to get a shake. After that I bought them each a heart shaped balloon with a teddy bear tied to it. Erika and the girls also had their picture taken in one of those photo booths. Very cute. It was a wonderful way for me to spend Valentine's day.
I had a great week with Tristan and Greta. It was filled with Basketball. Tristan had a great time and also did really well.
Jenna had her baby, a boy, last Saturday. Zachary is home and doing well. He was in NICU for a couple of days. Kathy said he is growing. His brother Elias doesn't seem adversely effected by it all. Congrats Jenna and Ben!
I drove on some snow packed roads on the way down to Madison. Not my favorite. I have yet to slide or swerve, and have no need to experience it. I'm aware of how big the truck is and how much damage it could cause if I lost control. I'm hoping the weather is good during this two week period. I'll let you know how it goes.
I hope your week went well and that this coming weekend will be a good one for you. - James (Jibs - Dad/Papa )
I picked up an empty trailer in Menomonie, WI and drove it down to Madison, WI. Tomorrow the trailer will be loaded and I'll be heading to Brantford, ON. (Another border crossing).
Tonight I had dinner with Erika and the girls once again. Elsa was wearing pants with hearts on them and a big heart on her shirt. Sydney had a special dress on. We had to eat at McDonalds and for sure had to get a shake. After that I bought them each a heart shaped balloon with a teddy bear tied to it. Erika and the girls also had their picture taken in one of those photo booths. Very cute. It was a wonderful way for me to spend Valentine's day.
I had a great week with Tristan and Greta. It was filled with Basketball. Tristan had a great time and also did really well.
Jenna had her baby, a boy, last Saturday. Zachary is home and doing well. He was in NICU for a couple of days. Kathy said he is growing. His brother Elias doesn't seem adversely effected by it all. Congrats Jenna and Ben!
I drove on some snow packed roads on the way down to Madison. Not my favorite. I have yet to slide or swerve, and have no need to experience it. I'm aware of how big the truck is and how much damage it could cause if I lost control. I'm hoping the weather is good during this two week period. I'll let you know how it goes.
I hope your week went well and that this coming weekend will be a good one for you. - James (Jibs - Dad/Papa )
Saturday, February 9, 2008
Red Wing, MN
My apologies for the late post. I got home to Red Wing on Wednesday afternoon. I made it to Green Bay, WI Tuesday morning and got a new assignment to go up to Escanaba, MI and pickup a load of paper. I got that late Tues and then drove back to Blaine Wednesday morning. It seemed like a longer two weeks than usual. I think it had to do with driving out west.
Since Wed I've been taking Tristan to basketball events. Practice on Thur. A game on Friday. A tournament today. Tomorrow they get to play at the Target Center in downtown Mpls. That's where the Timberwolves play. They play at 9:30 in the morning. Tristan is excited about that.
I'm looking at two other trucking companies to work for. Both are much smaller than Schneider. Schneider has 13,000 drivers. These companies each have 250 drivers. The benefit to working for them is I could be home more frequently. For one company I'd be out 2 days and then home. Then got out the next day for 3 days and then home for 2 days. This company is based out of Rochester, though they have a terminal in Red Wing. For the other, I'd be based out of Red Wing. I'd drive for 5 days and be home for 2 days. I might make a decision in the next few days. I probably wouldn't start until the beginning of March if I did switch companies.
Jenna, Kathy's daughter just had a baby boy yesterday. She now has 2 boys. Elias and little Zachary. I was hoping they'd name him Alfonso Soriano Mathew after the Chicago Cubs player, but for some reason they decided not to. Can't figure it out.
Whether I switch jobs or not I'll be out again Thur. driving a Schneider truck for 2 weeks. I'll keep you informed. I hope you all have a good weekend. - James (Jibs - Dad/Papa )
Since Wed I've been taking Tristan to basketball events. Practice on Thur. A game on Friday. A tournament today. Tomorrow they get to play at the Target Center in downtown Mpls. That's where the Timberwolves play. They play at 9:30 in the morning. Tristan is excited about that.
I'm looking at two other trucking companies to work for. Both are much smaller than Schneider. Schneider has 13,000 drivers. These companies each have 250 drivers. The benefit to working for them is I could be home more frequently. For one company I'd be out 2 days and then home. Then got out the next day for 3 days and then home for 2 days. This company is based out of Rochester, though they have a terminal in Red Wing. For the other, I'd be based out of Red Wing. I'd drive for 5 days and be home for 2 days. I might make a decision in the next few days. I probably wouldn't start until the beginning of March if I did switch companies.
Jenna, Kathy's daughter just had a baby boy yesterday. She now has 2 boys. Elias and little Zachary. I was hoping they'd name him Alfonso Soriano Mathew after the Chicago Cubs player, but for some reason they decided not to. Can't figure it out.
Whether I switch jobs or not I'll be out again Thur. driving a Schneider truck for 2 weeks. I'll keep you informed. I hope you all have a good weekend. - James (Jibs - Dad/Papa )
Tuesday, February 5, 2008
Green Bay, WI
It's been a busy few days. The last time I wrote I was just about to have breakfast with Gene and Neil in CA near Stockton. They and Crish arrived early and got a chance to see the truck and a Schneider operating center. We did have breakfast and had a wonderful conversation. Gene gave me tips as to how to navigate LA which really came in handy.
I made it to my stop in LA 45 minutes early, dropped the trailer and quickly drove down to Fullerton to pick up a load that needed to be taken to Green Bay. I spent that night, Thur at an operating center in LA.
I decided to head back east on I-40 and as a result met Grandma and Grandpa in Holbrook, AZ Friday afternoon. They drove up to Holbrook from Sun City. It was a nice time. I had plenty to eat and was able to give them a ride in the truck, which I think they enjoyed. I left Holbrook and continued east on Sat and got as far as Amarillo, TX.
Sunday, I drove as far as Springfield, MO and yesterday drove to Madison, WI. Fortunately, I was able to have dinner with Erika and the girls and buy them some gifts. Elsa will be 2 this Sunday, Feb. 10th.
The weather was great from CA all the way to IL. The temps were in the 50's - 70's and the skies were clear. It was a nice reprieve from driving in the Pacific Northwest. Yesterday however was less ideal. From St Louis to Madison I drove through fog. Sometimes very dense. The traffic flowed nicely but I needed to be on my toes.
I arrived in Green Bay this morning at 8:30 am. I'm hoping after unloading to get a load that heads back to Mpls/St Paul, but we'll see.
I haven't driven anymore miles in the last 2 weeks than I usually do, but it seemed like it. This time I drove through MN, ND, MT, WA, OR, CA, AZ, NM, TX, OK, MO, IL and WI. Quite a circuit. I now have driven through all of the lower 48 states except NV, UT, CO and VT.
I hope your weekend went well. I was pleased the Giants won the Super Bowl. They are Jason's team. It will be interesting to follow the primaries today, Super Tuesday. - James (Jibs - Dad/Papa )
I made it to my stop in LA 45 minutes early, dropped the trailer and quickly drove down to Fullerton to pick up a load that needed to be taken to Green Bay. I spent that night, Thur at an operating center in LA.
I decided to head back east on I-40 and as a result met Grandma and Grandpa in Holbrook, AZ Friday afternoon. They drove up to Holbrook from Sun City. It was a nice time. I had plenty to eat and was able to give them a ride in the truck, which I think they enjoyed. I left Holbrook and continued east on Sat and got as far as Amarillo, TX.
Sunday, I drove as far as Springfield, MO and yesterday drove to Madison, WI. Fortunately, I was able to have dinner with Erika and the girls and buy them some gifts. Elsa will be 2 this Sunday, Feb. 10th.
The weather was great from CA all the way to IL. The temps were in the 50's - 70's and the skies were clear. It was a nice reprieve from driving in the Pacific Northwest. Yesterday however was less ideal. From St Louis to Madison I drove through fog. Sometimes very dense. The traffic flowed nicely but I needed to be on my toes.
I arrived in Green Bay this morning at 8:30 am. I'm hoping after unloading to get a load that heads back to Mpls/St Paul, but we'll see.
I haven't driven anymore miles in the last 2 weeks than I usually do, but it seemed like it. This time I drove through MN, ND, MT, WA, OR, CA, AZ, NM, TX, OK, MO, IL and WI. Quite a circuit. I now have driven through all of the lower 48 states except NV, UT, CO and VT.
I hope your weekend went well. I was pleased the Giants won the Super Bowl. They are Jason's team. It will be interesting to follow the primaries today, Super Tuesday. - James (Jibs - Dad/Papa )
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